Benchwarmer: Jeremiah Masoli

Who is he? Jeremiah Masoli is the starting Oregon Ducks quarterback and a sleeper Heisman candidate. Though he won’t win it, he’ll be in the conversation. If he stays healthy (the Ducks have a terrible injury history at the QB position) he might help the Ducks finally take down USC, since USC has to come into Autzen Stadium this year. Last year he put up 1,744 yards and 13 TDs passing, and 718 yards and 10 TDs rushing. In a few hours, he and the Ducks kick off the college football season with what is likely to be the most significant Week One game; Boise State has to win against the higher ranked University of Oregon if they want to even be considered for a BCS game at the end of the season. If you haven’t heard of him and are wondering why he’s so good, watch the video posted below, and while you’re watching him run over that dude, remember he has the arm to match his running speed and strength.

Why don’t we like him? Even though he’s scary good, I don’t like him because I’m an Oregon State Beaver all the way. As much as I’d like to see USC taken down, I can’t root for a Duck. (I would be more optimistic about OSU’s chances of winning the Pac-10 if they didn’t have to play USC, Cal, and Oregon on the road). Sure, he might run UO’s offense with amazing efficiency, but he runs the UO offense. I hate “option” offenses. No team beyond high school should run an offense based solely on the option. Plus, he wears cute fairy wings.